Vehicle Description
Ford introduced the Mustang Bullitt edition in 2001, but it wasn't
until the redesigned Mustang showed up in 2005 that the Bullitt
could really reach into the past and truly channel Steve McQueen.
This 2009 Bullitt Mustang is an incredible investment-grade piece
of Ford history, showing only 17,154 original miles (not a
misprint) and completely untouched save for a few routine
maintenance items.
The color is Highland Green, just as in 1968, and it practically
glows on the surfaces of this modern variant. Thanks to the miracle
of two-stage urethane paint, it has a dazzling shine without losing
the deep color that made McQueen's car the ultimate sleeper. The
Bullitt eschews flash and standard Mustang items like a hood scoop
and rear wing, just to add authenticity. You'll note that there are
no badges or other indicators on it, and the only real identifier
is a faux gas cap in the center of the rear valence, and even that
is special just for these cars. The 1968 original used chrome
bumpers, but since there's no chrome on an '08 Mustang, they
substituted a satin-finished trim ring around the now-horseless
grille opening, which mimics the spirit, if not the exact look of
the original. And yes, it is as perfectly preserved as possible and
showroom fresh in every possible way.
The interior got a few upgrades over the standard GT fare as well,
and all of it is as perfectly preserved as the exterior. It's not a
duplicate of the '60s icon, but there are deign cues everywhere
that remind you that this is no ordinary Mustang. There were no
engine-turned panels in Frank Bullitt's car, but they give the dash
in this one a period-perfect look and brighten up the otherwise
dark gray interior. Same goes for the aluminum shift knob and gray
shifter surround, all of which help place the car in-period without
actually going back in time. The GT's gauges use a very
1968-looking font with tall, narrow numbers, although the layout is
quite modern overall. The seats were borrowed from the GT500 and
offer narrow pleats like the original, and the leather-wrapped
wheel is a luxury Steve McQueen might have appreciated during the
stunt driving sequences.
Ford gave the Bullitt a few extra horsepower, too, thanks to an
intake system designed by Ford Racing, as well as a strut tower
brace that also carries the car's individual number plate (#6308,
by the way). The exhaust system was specially tuned to sound like
the 1968 car from the film, and it makes a few extra ponies thanks
to a custom engine calibration. It's plenty stout and prowls the
streets with some swagger, and despite being insanely easy to
modify, this one remains quite stock under the hood. A 5-speed
manual transmission is the gearbox of choice to most closely
replicate McQueen's 4-speed and it's a joy to run through the
gears. In back, there are 3.73 gears that allow it to launch hard
off the line but thanks to a deep overdrive gear, it cruises easily
on the highway without getting tiresome. The suspension was lowered
about a half-inch from stock and is tuned a little more
aggressively, but never gets abusive when you're not running hard.
The stock Mustang 4-wheel disc brakes are an easy match for the
horsepower, and they live behind 18-inch Torque-Thrust replicas
wearing 235/50/18 BFGoodrich G-Force radials that look suitably
tall in the Bullitt's wheel wells.
If you missed your chance when the Bullitt was the hottest Mustang
you could buy, here it is again, fully documented with the original
window sticker, warranty card, and manuals. Call now!
